Odisha has become the first State in the country to extend the 21-day lockdown — which was scheduled to end on April 14 — till April 30 to end the Covid-19 crisis.
The Naveen Patnaik Government on Thursday announced the decision even as the Centre weighs the proposal by many States to expand the duration of the shutdown.
The CM also declared schools and other educational institutions will remain closed till June 17.
“We have decided to extend the lockdown till April 30. We will also recommend to the Government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30,” Patnaik said in a video message soon after the Cabinet meeting he held with five senior ministers through video-conferencing.
Odisha has recorded 44 positive cases of coronavirus so far and one death from the disease.
The CM said Odisha reported the first COVID-19 case on March 15 and the number went up to 42 till Wednesday which was not an exponential rise. It was made possible because of the discipline and sacrifice of the people of the state, he said.
Though lockdown period has been extended, Patnaik said activities related to agriculture, animal husbandry and MGNREGS will be facilitated. However, social distancing norms will be followed in all spheres.
Food security, he said, was a major priority for the state and transportation of essential supplies will continue unhindered.
